Reiki Rambling

Reiki BuddiesDoes your introduction to Reiki healing make people want to try Reiki, or want to run?

If you think your friends don’t hop on board because Reiki is so whatever, think again. It might not be Reiki at all.

It might be you.

Or rather, what you say and how you say it.

Think of it this way. Remember the last time a friend introduced you to a new beau or gal, and she wanted so much for you to like him, but she was so needy that although you wanted to be supportive, you felt uncomfortable and couldn’t even look him in the eye? You couldn’t wait to slide out of that vise of neediness, and only realized later that although he seemed fine, somehow you barely connected with him.

She didn’t trust him to carry the day, and gave him a build up that no one could follow, that no one wants to hear, and it ended in disappointment and hurt feelings.

When we desperately want people to see how special and important someone or something is, we tend to oversell it.

Needy is not impressive

When we’re talking too much because we want it too much, our neediness is all people can see, and it makes them uncomfortable.

We keep talking because we hope they won’t notice how much of this practice doesn’t make sense (which would really be okay, because people don’t expect spiritual practices to make sense).

And in a funny way, the strategy works. People don’t notice that Reiki doesn’t make sense. All they notice is that we don’t make sense and we talk too much and don’t breathe and if this is the poster girl for Reiki, if this is an example of what happens when people practice Reiki, well, they don’t want what we have.

Today only

The more you practice, the more you know how much doesn’t need to be said, and cannot be said, and the more you are at peace with that reality.

The more you practice, the more you appreciate what people can only discover for themselves.

Your job changes from Reiki evangelizing — which only calls in the fanatics — to Reiki dangling, letting the jewel shimmer through your own centered presence, giving people a chance to reach for it.

What you don’t say can’t hurt you…or Reiki.

Please leave a comment sharing what has and hasn’t worked for you when speaking to friends about Reiki.

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The Mainstreaming Reiki webinar recordings help refine your communication of various aspects of Reiki practice. You can download them and listen at your convenience.

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Related Reading:
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3 Things to Avoid When Talking Reiki and Science
What Peas Taught Me about Changing Behavior
Manhattan Reiki

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12 thoughts on “Reiki Rambling”

  1. Again and as usual Pamela, wonderfully and simply stated.

    I simply love reiki, it has changed my life and I KNOW those around me see that change ~ from a chronically depressed person to a happy, grateful and accepting person.

    I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia over 30 years and for most of that time I allowed it to identify me. Now through the healing of reiki, I am grateful for my gift of fibromyalgia and the many lessons I have learned from dealing with the life changes.

    I don’t feel like reiki needs to be sold, once you have a practitioners reiki hands channel to you, you will be sold.

    Thank you again Pamela for your insight ??

  2. Hi, I used to find I rambled on and talked about chakras etc, but to the none believer they think it’s claptrap. WhatI say now is, Reiki is a wonderful way of relaxing whilst your body balances itself. When asked further by some ‘ how can you direct healing energy…where is it, I say, do you have a mobile phone ? Yes they reply, well you can’t see the rays that it connects you with but you know it’s working don’t you ? That usually gives them food for thought 🙂

  3. Maryjane Staats

    I have volunteered in my local hospital for over a year now giving Reiki to medical/surgical patients, family members and staff. I would say the only frustrating thing is when I try to explain Reiki and dig myself deeper into confusing statements with the patient looking at me like a deer in the headlights. This has happened when the patient questions the practice due to religious concerns. Most of the time I keep it simple as stated in Connie’s 5/23 post. I offer…they choose. If accepted, I demonstrate the hand positions, how the session will progress and relate the benefits others have reported. I never push a patient to try. They have enough stuff out of their control while in the hospital.

    Thank you so much for the encouragement to say “I don’t know” when asked what Reiki is. It is freeing.

  4. I am only 2 and a half months into my Reiki journey. I find it fascinating and wonderful. One of the most wonderful things for me is treating my colleagues, who are physiotherapists. Obviously, with their training, job roles and environment, they are very scientifically minded. The treatments they offer patients and the training they have received are based on research, proof and evidence, etc.

    They know that I am enthused and feel that Reiki is a thing of beauty. But as it stands right now, I do not have to sell it to any of them. From 1 person treated, I have watched the ripple widen from colleague to colleague. And as they discuss the experiences that they had, another new arrival comes to ask me if I can “do them.” Beautiful! 🙂

    1. Kerry, you are fortunate to be in a situation in which you can easily share the practice, which always speaks best for itself.

      I encourage my Reiki hospital interns to keep a low profile, and leave it to the patients to share their experiences with the staff. It never fails, and people who would not have asked for Reiki treatment on their own are intrigued and seek it out.

  5. Because I have never found a description I find myself comfortable with. I usually say, Reiki must be experienced not described. And I leave it at that, then the people who are really open to it will come and experience it. My boss, who is one skeptical person, came after a surgery she had and now she tells everyone to come see me! So I think that is what I will continue to say.

    1. Amelie, I think you’ve identified what is behind most if not all Reiki rambling: the lack of a personally meaningful response that is publicly acceptable.

      Your solution is a good one, and similar to Mrs. Takata’s. When asked “What is Reiki?”, Mrs. Takata often said, “I can’t tell you but I can show you.”

  6. I have learned (the hard way and before Pamela’s class) to make one statement – such as – Reiki is a relaxation technique – and pause to see if there are questions. Another statement I make is most clients that experience Reiki feel more relaxed (so very true).

    1. Thank you, Connie. I always appreciate it when experienced practitioners take the time to share their wisdom here. So often we all come to similar understandings after we’ve been practicing for years. One of my goals for this blog is to be a forum to share our experience to help newer practitioners develop.

  7. Lydia de Schepper

    Reiki is Healing,relaxing and makes people Happy, if you do a good

    a good job you benefit yourself, de more you practise the better

    and easier it wil be.

    It makes people feel good about themselfs and we all are never to old to

    learn and Thank you for your wonderful webinar.

    Lydia de Schepper, B.C. Canada.

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